Current ICT Project
Investigators:
  K. El Rayes (Primary), L. Liu
Project Title:
  Studying & Minimizing Traffic Related Work Zone Crashes in Illinois
Start Date: 9/16/2008
End Date: 9/15/2010
Summary of Project:
  To improve work zone safety, the Illinois Comprehensive Highway Safety Plan proposed a number of strategies, including (1) identifying contributing factors for fatal work zone crashes; (2) implementing innovative merge techniques; and (3) adding rumble strips within and prior to work zones. This proposed work shall support the safety goals of the Safety Engineering Policy 3-07 (IDOT 2007) and the FHWA Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule, (23 CFR 630 Subpart J), and accordingly it will investigate the aforementioned Illinois Comprehensive Highway Safety Plan strategies (ICHSP 2005) to improve work zone safety in Illinois.
Objective of Project:
  The objectives of this project are to: (1) provide an in-depth comprehensive review of the latest literature on traffic-related work zone crashes and conduct site visits of work zones in Illinois; (2) analyze the frequency and severity of traffic-related work zone crashes in Illinois; (3) conduct a comprehensive analysis to investigate the probable causes and contributing factors of work zone crashes in Illinois; (4) develop practical recommendations for improved work zone layouts and merge techniques that minimize the probable causes of work zone crashes in Illinois; and (5) evaluate the practicality and effectiveness of the ICHSP proposed strategy of adding temporary/portable rumble strips within and prior to work zones.
Expected Outcome:
  The expected outcomes of this project are (1) comprehensive literature review and site visits report: (2) comprehensive analysis of work zone crashes in Illinois: (3) recommendations for improving work zone layouts and merge techniques: (4) evaluation of the practicality and effectiveness of temporary rumble strips: and (5) final recommendations to improve IDOT traffic control standards and specifications.
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Last Updated: 11/18/2009